logo
'Chicharito' Hernandez faces backlash in Mexico for 'very sexist' remarks on gender roles

'Chicharito' Hernandez faces backlash in Mexico for 'very sexist' remarks on gender roles

NBC News7 days ago
MEXICO CITY — Soccer star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is facing backlash from Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and others for remarks posted on his social media accounts about gender roles.
"Chicharito is a very good soccer player," Sheinbaum said at a news conference Wednesday. "But when it comes to his opinion on women ... he still has a lot to learn."
She described the former Mexico international's ideas as "very sexist."
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker, who plays for Chivas, is injured and missed the first two matches of Mexico's Apertura tournament.
Over the weekend, he posted several reels and videos, mainly on Instagram.
"Don't be afraid to be women, to allow yourselves to be led by a man," the 37-year-old Hernandez said. "Women, you are failing, you are eradicating masculinity, making society hypersensitive."
Hernandez, the all-time leading scorer for the Mexican national team with 52 goals, returned to Mexico last year on a two-year deal with Chivas, the team where he began his professional career in 2006.
"You women need to learn to accept and honor masculinity," he said in another one of his posts.
In another, he said to the camera: "You want a man to provide, but for you, cleaning is patriarchal oppression... interesting."
Sheinbaum, a 63-year-old scientist, was elected last year as the first female president in the country's 200-year history.
"I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother, I'm also a housewife," the president added Wednesday. "But I'm also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Women can be whatever we want."
Hernandez is a divorced father of two who has a habit of kneeling in the middle of the pitch to pray before the start of matches. He began creating content for a YouTube channel where he portrayed his life as a player with West Ham and his marriage.
Hernandez had a low profile on social media before hiring life coach Diego Dreyfus, to whom many attribute much of "Chicharito's" new persona.
Criticism followed his recent statements, with some urging him to limit himself to soccer, given that his performance since returning to the Mexican league last year has not been as expected.
Hernandez, who also played for Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham and Sevilla, has scored just two goals in 25 matches in his first two tournaments back in Mexico.
A few hours after the president's remarks, Hernandez was fined by the by the Gender and Diversity Commission of the Mexican Soccer Federation and by Chivas.
"A few days ago, on the social platform Javier Chicharito Hernández made statements that promote sexist stereotypes that are considered media violence and go against gender equality in the sport," a statement from the federation said.
The federation did not disclose the amount of the fine but said that a more severe penalty awaits if he does it again.
Chivas didn't mention Hernandez by name in announcing its fine, only saying that the team is against "behavior that reinforces stereotypes that limit the freedom, respect, and full development of all people, both inside and outside of sports."
This is the first time that the federation has sanctioned a player for misogynistic comments. Earlier this year businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, the owner of the Mazatlán and Puebla clubs, made harsh statements about female journalists and was left unpunished.
Chicharito has been banned from the national team since 2019 after he, alongside other players, organized a non-authorized party in New York after a game against the United States.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Refs could wear body cameras in Premier League this season after IFAB approval
Refs could wear body cameras in Premier League this season after IFAB approval

The Herald Scotland

time20 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Refs could wear body cameras in Premier League this season after IFAB approval

The technology is likely to feature in next summer's World Cup and it is understood it could also be offered to broadcasters as part of the Premier League's new domestic television deal. Clubs will need to approve precisely when and how the cameras are used in the coming weeks, but the league has already shown a willingness to innovate in this area, with referee Jarred Gillett wearing a camera during a Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in May last year. Jarred Gillett wore a camera during a Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in May last year (Zac Goodwin/PA) The purpose of the trial at the Club World Cup was to see whether it enriched the viewing experience by providing footage from the referee's perspective. Pierluigi Collina, the chairman of FIFA's referees committee, hailed the success of the cameras and said the trial had gone 'beyond expectations'. It therefore seems extremely likely world football's governing body will want to use the cameras in its showpiece national-team tournament next summer. 'We thought it would have been an interesting experience for TV viewers and we've received great comments,' Collina told earlier this month. 'We were asked, 'Why not in all the matches?' and even more, 'Why not in all sports?'. 🎥 The best ref cam moments of the #FIFACWC so far… — FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 27, 2025 'We had the possibility to see what the referee sees on the field of play. And this was not only for entertainment purposes, but also for coaching the referees (and) to explain why something was not seen on the field of play.' The cameras highlighted how a handball by an Atletico Madrid defender in their match against Paris St Germain could not be given on-field by the referee because his line of vision was blocked, with the VAR able to alert the official. Competitions wishing to participate in the extended trial will need to seek permission from the IFAB and from FIFA, who will provide detailed recommendations and technical information to help them use the technology effectively. Other enhancements to the Premier League television experience this season include dressing-room access, half-time interviews and in-match interviews with managers or substituted players.

Man Utd make final Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins decision as transfer 'accelerates'
Man Utd make final Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins decision as transfer 'accelerates'

Daily Mirror

time21 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Man Utd make final Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins decision as transfer 'accelerates'

Benjamin Sesko has moved above Ollie Watkins in Manchester United's pecking order as they look to add the RB Leipzig striker to their squad ahead of the new season Benjamin Sesko has moved to the top of Manchester United's wish-list as they look to add the striker to their ranks. The Red Devils have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, but Ruben Amorim is open to adding more firepower to his side following the club's dire 2024/25 campaign. ‌ The highly rated Sesko looks set to move on after Leipzig missed out on Champions League football. United will be absent from European football completely this season, but that is not thought to have put the Slovenian off. ‌ Sesko is reportedly favouring a move to Old Trafford over Newcastle, who are also in the market for a top forward, with Liverpool-linked Alexander Isak angling for a move away from Tyneside. According to The Athletic, Sesko is Man United's priority if they go for another striker this summer and they are said to have made 'informal' contact with Leipzig. ‌ The Red Devils are also admirers of Ollie Watkins, although Aston Villa have insisted the 29-year-old is not for sale. A move for Sesko looks more realistic, with United also favouring a player of potential over a proven quality like Watkins. United have been linked with Sesko in the past, but they balked at paying his previous club, RB Salzburg, around £2m in 2019. He will now cost many times more after emerging as one of the most promising strikers in Europe, scoring 39 goals in 87 appearances for Leipzig since his arrival in 2023. ‌ His current contract runs until 2029, having only signed a new deal last year. It reportedly came with an understanding that he would be allowed to depart if another club offered in the region of £69m to £78m. Untied's signings will need to be offset by some outgoings, with a number of players declaring their desire to leave the club. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were left out of the tour of the United States, with the so-called 'bomb squad' training at the club's Carrington complex. Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan. United's transfer dealings have been widely criticised in recent seasons but Amorim has said chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox would not be taken advantage of just to get rid of those surplus to requirements.

Anthony Joshua told Jake Paul fight is 'bigger' than Tyson Fury showdown
Anthony Joshua told Jake Paul fight is 'bigger' than Tyson Fury showdown

Daily Mirror

time21 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Anthony Joshua told Jake Paul fight is 'bigger' than Tyson Fury showdown

Joshua has verbally agreed to fight Paul next year, and one individual believes a showdown with the YouTube star is bigger than a potential all-British bout with Fury Barry Hearn believes a bout between Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul would be more massive than a potential all-British heavyweight showdown with Tyson Fury. ‌ Joshua hasn't stepped into the ring since his crushing knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September. A clash with Fury appeared on the horizon after the 'Gypsy King' endured consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. Just weeks following his second loss to the Ukrainian, the Morecambe brawler announced his retirement from boxing. ‌ However, mere months later, Fury confirmed his comeback to competitive boxing and is targeting a bout next year, reports All Out Fighting. The 36-year-old remains open to facing Joshua - but may have to get in line as it appears 'AJ' could take on Paul instead. The duo have exchanged verbal jabs over recent months and have verbally committed to a dust-up. ‌ Whilst fans are desperate to witness Joshua and Fury finally clash in the ring, Hearn has explained precisely why he believes a fight between 'AJ' and Paul would be bigger. Speaking to IFL TV, he said: "I do not really have an opinion, I listen to the market! If a market says they want that product, you bring out that product. If the market says we love darts, then I would do lots of darts events. "If the market says we want to see Anthony Joshua against the YouTuber or whatever his you want to call him... an influencer, the market have spoken. And anyone in business that does not listen to the market, do not stay in business very long." When questioned about which bout would be 'bigger' between Joshua vs Fury or Joshua vs Paul, Hearn responded: "Probably the latter. But, I am not saying it should be, I am just saying it is the world we live in and everyone has the ability to ignore reality, but it never seems to really make sense at the end of the day. "You have to listen to what people want. We are not governing our own destiny here, we listen to broadcasters, to fans, to sponsors, and we have to go where we have to go. If that does not appeal to what I call the traditionalists within boxing, of which, at a maximum, is five per cent of your audience... the day you run a business based on five per cent opinion, you will be out of business very quickly." ‌ Speaking to DAZN before Oleksandr Usyk's clash with Daniel Dubois, Paul virtually guaranteed that he would step into the ring with Joshua next year. "Yeah 100 per cent it's going to happen. We're going to do the unthinkable and create one of the biggest fights in the history of boxing," he said. "It's not even about it being realistic or not, it's going to happen so fasten your seatbelts. And when I knock him out I'll go down in the history books forever." When is Anthony Joshua's next fight? As Joshua is currently recuperating from an elbow operation, the Brit is aiming to get back in the ring before the year's end. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, has recently disclosed that 'AJ' is now looking to move forward with his career after repeatedly chasing a fight with Fury, but he still harbours hopes of eventually squaring off with the 'Gypsy King' before retiring. In a chat with Sky Sports about Joshua's future plans, Hearn stated: "Yeah, good, he had that operation recently... that elbow surgery, which went very well. You will see him return in October, November or December."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store